Alan Pickwick

Note to open the receiver and check that the radio frequency circuit board is properly seated. Mine wasn’t!! The software setup is found at Report >> Adv Setup >> Consol Setup The line should read: Handheld Remote 1 R120 Radio Local 2AUX1 9K6 8-N-1 ___0 ___1 Off The ___0 ___1 refers to the channel number of the remote handset. As soon as you switch the handheld on it will state its channel number – 1 is the default. You can change it using the number keys in the first 3 seconds from switching on. Just leave the unit to stop displaying the channel if the number is OK. Plug the unit into AUX 1 and use the setting above. As soon as you move away from the software settings line the display on the remote will burst into life. Further instructions at: https://www.theatrecrafts.com/archive/documents/R120.pdf

I have determined that the Ni-Cd battery pack is faulty so I have ordered a replacement from EBay. I might need to swap the connector - easy by cutting teh cable and making a soldered joint.

I have just dug out my wireless R120 which I bought and have never used. In the box there were two power supplies. One is clearly for the receiver which is clearly labelled 12 volts. The other is a 9 volt supply which fits the R120. The rechargeable battery in the unit is a 4.8 volt NiCd package. The first thing I did was to very carefully open the R120 and replace the CR2032 button cell. To open the case, carefully release the two clips that hold the aerial and power connector and pull them free. Remove the six screws and very, very carefully separate the shells. Then even more carefully separate the circuit boards, noting the way the pins register. In mine the radio frequency board was held in with two zip-ties which I cut to get access the button cell. Consider replacing the zip-ties. Check that the 4.8 volt NiCd is not leaking electrolyte. If you disconnect it, note that the red wire is furthest away from the PCB. The connector socket is not polarised. Reassemble carefully, making sure that the pin connectors are fully seated and the circuit board is located on the small white pillars on the screw holes. Charge for 12 hours according to the Strand leaflet which is visible on the web. Mine has just started to charge and I will let you know how I get on. Regards, Alan.

Dear Paul, Thanks for the lead, which I have examined. There are prices for the entry-level desks but almost none for the up-market ones. They are almost all POA. So I still need memories. Regards, Alan.

In November 2003 I bought a new Strand 300 Series board with 48/96 channels and an S72 demux. Total cost £4131.30. I would like to collect the new prices for Strand boards from the earliest up to the Philips era. There is nothing on the web so I hope you can rake your memories. Many thanks in advance. Alan.

With a very sharp pair of side cutters, cut out the battery, leaving as much of the pins visible above the PCB. If there are any chemical deposits on the PCB, carefully wipe off with a damp cloth. Very carefully solder wires about 15cm long to the pins and to a new battery Put the new battery in a small plastic bag and tie to a suitable strong point on the wall of the metal box. Problem solved. I have done this to the four 300 Series that I own!!!! Good Luck, Alan.

I have just bought a Behringer X32 mixer. I have a 12-way Trantec radio mic reciver unit. I want to connect the radio mics to inputs 1 to 12 of the X32. Should I set the radio mic outputs to MIC and turn the channel gain up or should I set the radio mic outputs to LINE and turn the gain down on the X32? I can see advantages on sending at LINE level - less possibility of noise but sending at LINE could mean more distortion in the X32 inputs. Any thoughts?

Dear Will, Check the switch settings on the Showtec. Set to 10 volts and negative output for Strand. I had a similar random event some years ago when Pin 1 was not making proper contact in the socket. Examine the 25 pin plug for pushed-back pins. The most critical is pin 1, the earth (common return) pin. Try reseating the plug and make sure the screws are tight and even. Next carefully take off the shell of your 25 pin plug and look for wires that have come off their pins. I have several of these units and they have proved amazingly reliable. However they have lots of integrated circuits in push-in sockets. If the unit has had a knock the ICs might need reseating. Let us know how you get on. Good luck, Alan.

Dear Chris, Sorry, I thought you just wanted individual dimmer units. We have several complete STM racks that you can have a couple of for a modest donation. Just to note that the JTM/STM racks are 20 way. You could ring me on 0161 973 6796. Regards, Alan.

Dear Chris, Yes, I have lots of probably working STM modules. They are located in Manchester (M33 / M41). Free to a good cause. Regards, Alan.